Red Wing Schools March Minutes

Independent School District #256

Red Wing Public Schools

The Red Wing School Board held its second monthly meeting on Monday, March 5, 2012 at City Council Chambers. The Board members, Superintendent Karsten Anderson, Board Clerk/Director of Finance Brad Johnson, staff and public were present. Board members Kramp and Baldwin were absent.

Motion by Christensen, second by Jones to approve the agenda, motion carried, 5-0.

3. Communications:

3.1Recognitions: Superintendent Anderson recognized students selected for the Teachers Choice Awards, and Mikayla Cota was the conference speech champion. The Middle School has been accepted into a research program. The Jazz Band and swim teams also did very well in recent events/competition.

3.2Public Comment: None

3.3Other Reports: Recent activities of the Personnel Committee and negotiation teams were reported.

3.4Food Service Update: Ms. Julie Haase, Food Service Director, presented a report explaining the Food Service purchase process. Standards are updated for the next school year, leading to larger portions in fruits and vegetables. Board members asked some questions on standards. Dennis asked about staffing; the director does a meals-per-labor hour analysis. Board Member Anderson asked about Teachers on Call and was told that it will go fine, but will take staff some time to get used to it.

Background Information

4.1Board meeting minutes for February 21, 2012

4.2Claims & Accounts, February 1-15, 2012

Fund 01 – General Funds$817,048.43

Fund 02 – Food Service34,102.41

Fund 03 – Transportation153,347.74

Fund 04 – Community Services36,365.43

Fund 05 – Capital Expenditures19,383.07

Fund 06 – Building Construction0.00

Fund 07 – Debt Service 0.00

Fund 08 – Auxiliary 31,405.20

Fund 09 – Trust Agency 564.56

Fund 21 – Student Activities5,779.09

Fund 45 – OPEB Trust Fund0.00

Fund 47 – OPEB Debt Service0.00

Fund 50 – Student Activities6,299.91

Total$1,104,295.84

Payroll – February 15, 2012$741,903.29

4.3Reassignment: Chris Shafer, Level I Cook (part-time) at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective September 4, 2012 (due to displacement).

4.4Resignation: Jackie Jech, Special Ed. Assistant at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective February 28, 2012.

4.5Termination: Heather Malesky, Level I Cook at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective February 17, 2012.

4.6Retirement: Patricia Trask, Media Specialist/Language Arts Instructor/Yearbook Advisor at RWHS, effective June 6, 2012; Cathy McCoy, EBD Teacher at RWHS, effective June 6, 2012.

Motion by Porter, second by Anderson to approve the Consent Agenda, motion carried 5-0. Board member Christensen asked that if staff has any issues with training, please make concerns known, and we need specifics so we can act.

There was no Unfinished Business.

5.1Director of Community Education Salary: Last month the Board approved hiring Dawn Wettern as interim director, and as of July 1, that position will be open. Superintendent Anderson recommended a salary for current school year of $71,967 and a range for the Director position of $80-$98,000. Motion by Christensen, second by Jones to set the salary and proceed with posting, motion carried 5-0.

5.2Director of Teaching and Learning Salary: Due to Kathy Radmer’s retirement, the recommendation is made to post the position at a range of $90,000-$120,000. Moved by Christensen to proceed with the posting, second by Jones, motion carried 5-0. The position would also serve as principal of Towerview. Board Member Jones asked the time expectation for that spot, and was told about 10%. Motion carried 5-0.

5.3Process for Superintendent Evaluation: Superintendent Anderson proposed using the MSBA evaluation documents, and has put out a survey monkey for feedback. His handout contains some information that is not public. He also did a self-evaluation with comments, and explained some of the format. He will send out the link tomorrow.

Chair Boldt announced upcoming meetings on March 19, a Board workshop on April 2 at the Middle School IMC, and on April 16 at the City Council Chambers. Motion by Anderson, second by Porter to adjourn, motion carried 5-0. Chair Boldt adjourned the meeting at 6:12PM.

Brad Johnson

Board Clerk

4/14

Independent School District #256

Red Wing Public Schools

The Red Wing School Board held its second monthly meeting on Monday, March 19, 2012 at City Council Chambers. The Board members, Superintendent Karsten Anderson, Board Clerk/Director of Finance Brad Johnson, staff and public were present.

Anderson moved to approve the agenda, second by Christensen, motion carried, 7-0.

3. Communications:

3.1Recognitions: Superintendent Anderson recognized participants in the jazz contest.

3.2Public Comment: None

3.3Other Reports: Board Members Porter and Anderson brought up some concerns they have heard on Teachers on Call implementation. Board Member Jones reported on legislation

3.4Elementary School PAC Wish List: Janie Farrar and Libby Gulden presented a Parent Action Committee wish list. One item was the gifted and talented program. Board Members discussed some items with the speakers.

3.5Special Education Update: Cherie Johnson and Kim Chalmers gave a presentation on Special Education issues affecting Red Wing Schools. Board Member Jones asked if any legislative issues affect special ed, and was told a reduction in rules would be positive. Cash flow (aid) is not finalized until two years after a year ends. Board Member Porter asked about staffing predictions, and Ms. Chalmers explained how those reductions were determined. The tuition process was also explained. Board Member Porter asked about work comp issues with special ed staff.

Background Information

4.1Board meeting minutes for March 5, 2012

4.2Claims & Accounts for February 16-29, 2012

Fund 01 – General Funds$422,180.32

Fund 02 – Food Service24,389.10

Fund 03 – Transportation208,547.07

Fund 04 – Community Services12.378.89

Fund 05 – Capital Expenditures20.214.29

Fund 06 – Building Construction0.00

Fund 07 – Debt Service 0.00

Fund 08 – Auxiliary 13,191.22

Fund 09 – Trust Agency 10,656.04

Fund 21 – Student Activities5,470.15

Fund 45 – OPEB Trust Fund23,004.00

Fund 47 – OPEB Debt Service242,230.00

Fund 50 – Student Activities6,359.23

Total$988,620.31

Payroll – February 29, 2012 $742,981.96

4.3Reassignment: Kathi Gustafson, Level I Cook at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective June 1, 2012 (due to displacement).

4.4Resignation: Jona Evanson, Special Ed. Assistant at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective February 27, 2012; Evan Gough, Assistant Principal at RWHS, effective June 30, 2012.

4.5New Hire: Chris Nordenskjold, Night Custodian at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective March 12, 2012; Russel Johnson, Night Custodian at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective March 5, 2012.

4.6Retirement: Carol Schwartau, 2nd Grade Teacher at Burnside Elementary School, effective June 6, 2012; Karen Bang, 6th Grade Computer Teacher at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective June 6, 2012.

Superintendent Anderson mentioned that retirees Schwartau and Bang had 18 ½ and 24 years with the District respectively, and he thanked them and Pat Trask, also recently announcing retirement, for their service. Board Member Jones thanked Evan Gough for his service and congratulated on his new job. Motion by Porter, second by Anderson to approve the Consent Agenda, motion carried 7-0.

There was no Unfinished Business.

5.1Classroom and SPED Teacher Allocations: Superintendent Anderson reviewed his proposal to add 1 FTE elementary and 1 FTE in 6th grade, and 1 FTE special ed teacher. The request is needed to reduce class sizes, and he may need to request a section for Kindergarten LATER. He reminded the Board that we made a commitment to voters in 2008 for class size reductions. Board Member Kramp stated that he understood this configuration would max out space; do we have space for Kindergarten? It would require adjustments but is possible. Chair Boldt commented that more discussion on space will occur on the April 2 workshop. Board Member Jones asked for more detail on caseload, and Assistant Director Chalmers explained that. Board Member Christensen asked about scheduling at the Middle School with 6th grade, and a middle school schedule may result. Chair Boldt stated that the proposal has gone through both Personnel and Finance Committees, and this will put us on a fine line as far as the budget, especially as the fund balance is now being spent down. Jones moved the proposal, second by Christensen, motion carried 7-0.

5.2Organizational Chart Proposal: Superintendent Anderson stated that this proposal was needed to achieve the objectives of the strategic plan. He stated that the plan may have been too ambitious for the resources we have, but the plan needs to have these resources. Some of the support was paid by Edujobs but that is now gone. There are significant literacy needs, and a commitment to gifted and talented: as the incumbent resigned in summer, the position was not filled in 2011-12. Money from the Teachers on Special Assignment would apply to the proposal student support coordinators. The proposal also includes due process facilitators with small stipend, some summer coverage in the building offices, and the high school media specialist is retiring so this will be reviewed and a plan offered, which will be cost neutral or decrease. Board Members asked several questions and commented on referendum promises, the strategic plan needs, and ability of current staff to handle the workload due to staff shortages. Board Members requested tight monitoring of the costs. Board Member Kramp stated he didn’t have enough information on impact. Chair Boldt compared the decision to the implementation of all-day kindergarten. Board Member Porter felt the proposal is needed to show the strategic plan is supported. Motion by Anderson, second by Jones to approve the proposal, motion carried 6-1: voting aye were Anderson, Christensen, Jones, Porter, Boldt, Baldwin, voting nay: Kramp.

5.3First Reading of Policies: Several policies related to Title funding were presented. Board member Jones asked questions and Dr. Radmer explained some items. This was the first reading.

5.4Closed Session: Motion by Christensen to close the regular meeting, second by Anderson, motion carried 7-0. The meeting was closed at 7:18PM. Mr. Morgan Godfrey of Johnson & Condon reported on litigation matters. Motion by Anderson, second by Christensen to reopen the meeting; motion carried 7-0. Meeting was reopened at 9:04 PM.

Chair Boldt reported upcoming meetings on April 2, a workshop at the Middle School, and April 16, a regular meeting. Motion by Anderson, second by Jones to adjourn, motion carried 7-0. Chair Boldt adjourned the meeting at 9:04PM.

Brad Johnson

Board Clerk

4/14

Tags: public notices, general legals